William, a learned monk of Canterbury, of Norman extraction, but born of respectable parents in the city of London. He lived in the 12th century; and being attached to the service of Archbishop Becket, was present at the time of his murder. In the year 1174, he wrote in Latin, *The Life of St. Thomas, archbishop and martyr*; in which, as Becket was a native of the metropolis, he introduces a description of the city of London, with a miscellaneous detail of the manners and usages of the citizens: this is deservedly considered as a great curiosity, being the earliest professed account of London extant. Fitz-Stephen died in 1191.